For online school Ashworth College, the cost of a college education is an open book

July 11, 2012 - PRLog -- PEACHTREE CORNERS, Georgia – Over the past few months there has been a lot of buzz over the cost of getting a college degree. From rising tuition prices to interest rates on student loans to transparency of college costs, topics on helping students find the right school at the right price point have been top of mind for many -- from high school seniors to President Obama.

Recently the White House released a statement calling for college and university presidents to improve the way they provide students and their families with easy-to-understand financial data about their higher education investment. Fortunately for an online school like Ashworth College (http://www.ashworthcollege.edu/), providing financial transparency to prospective students is business as usual.

For many families, student loans have been the go-to resource illustrated by the fact that one-third of all students will have accumulated $20,000 or more in student loan debt by the time they graduate. According to thefinancialtimes.com this debt is to hit the $1 trillion later this year, surpassing credit cards as the second-largest category of consumer debt.

“There are many prospective students who would benefit from financial aid but can’t meet the necessary criteria and there are others who simply want to avoid having student loans waiting for them two or three years down the road,” said Rob Klapper, President and CEO for Ashworth College. “A significant benefit of attending an online school like Ashworth is the low, affordable monthly payments that fit almost any budget.”

Klapper went on to explain that with Ashworth College, simplicity is the name of the game. Students pay a low monthly payment that includes tuition, course materials and, from the time of enrollment there is virtually no change in price. And because there is no financial aid involved, students graduate without financial aid debt.

The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), Ashworth’s accrediting agency, has clearly defined expectations for its schools when it comes to pricing and offers. As a result, prospective Ashworth students find a complete disclosure on the school’s website and from any of its admissions representatives.

"It is clear to anyone reading about the  upward-spiraling cost of gaining a college education that few  realistic solutions are on offer to contain the cost of getting a post-secondary education today,” Said DETC Executive Director Michael P. Lambert. “It’s a point of pride among DETC institutions that getting a degree or learning a new skill should not force the student to take out large student loans or be faced with a crushing loan debt after finishing school.”

“At DETC institutions, tuition charges are as much as 2/3 less than many fixed-facility degree programs and payment options are flexible without necessarily forcing the student to mortgage their financial future," he added.

About Distance Education and Training Council

The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) is a voluntary, non-governmental, educational organization that operates a nationally recognized accrediting association, the DETC Accrediting Commission. Since its inception, DETC has worked to promote sound educational standards and ethical business practices within the distance education. The U.S. Department of Education supports DETC as the "nationally recognized accrediting agency" under terms of Public Law.

About Ashworth College and James Madison High School

Celebrating 25 years of Educating Minds and Changing Lives, leading online school Ashworth College has built a tradition of excellence by offering students worldwide an extensive range of online college degrees, online certificate programs, career training and online high school diploma options that are affordable and fit the busy schedules of working adults. Ashworth offers military education as well as specialized programs for corporate partners and homeschoolers.

Headquartered in Peachtree Corners, GA, Ashworth is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). The Accrediting Commission of the DETC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Ashworth is parent to James Madison High School which is accredited regionally by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), an accreditation division of AdvancED and further provides career training and vocational programs in the fields of health, business, technology, education, and skilled trades through sister schools PCDI Canada, New York Institute of Photography and Sheffield School.